Orchid Information and Care

Some of the most beautiful flowers are flowers that we rarely see and can only be found in faraway places. Many exotic flowers that have unique blooms live in the tropical regions where the temperature is perfect with just enough moisture and sunshine. The orchid is one of these special flowers as it was once only important from far off regions and grown by the wealthy. Today orchids are available in almost every nursery and home improvement garden department. Growing orchids is relatively easy to do as more and more people are discovering.

When walking through a local nursery, the orchid will catch many eyes but few will choose to take one home. The orchid appears to be a delicate and difficult plant to care for. Many people are unaware that growing orchids is actually much easier than they might think. Orchids take about the same amount of time to tend to them as any other common house plant. Knowing is half the battle, and with a little knowledge about orchids anyone can grow them.

Understanding that orchids come from a tropical environment, helps in providing the proper care that one must provide to orchids. Understanding the amount of water, light and the temperatures that orchids grow in provides knowledge to what an orchid requires in one's home or work environment. Once one is aware of the proper care, just like any other plant, growing orchids are easy to grow and maintain.

Watering is always a concern for many of us as we simply just don't know when to water and how much water should be given to our plants; we either tend to underwater or over water and either way we usually lose the plant. Most of the species of orchids available today prefer moist soil. This means that the soil should be wet enough for the roots to obtain moisture but not too wet so that the roots are unable to "breathe" and have root rot which can kill a plant. The water content should be checked weekly and can be easily done by inserting an object such as a pencil or chopstick into the soil then retracting it to see the amount of wetness that the soil is holding.

The amount of and the kind of light is extremely important in regards to growing orchids. Orchids prefer indirect or filtered lighting which most of us have available in our homes. In offices, fluorescent lighting is acceptable; the point of the light is for the plant to continue is photosynthesis process to maintain their blooming cycles. Never place an orchid near a window where it would receive direct afternoon light as the heat can harm the orchid.

Orchids love the same temperatures that we do; they prefer to have their environment at the "just right" temp; the temperature range can be from the 60's to the high 80's; this is a broad range but is generalized for most orchids. Many homes and offices' environments are maintained at about 72 degrees which is about in the middle and therefore perfect for orchids which is why you may see orchids at many offices. Growing orchids is easy when you have the right information.

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Popular Orchid Types

Orchidaceae, commonly referred to as the 0rchid family. It is currently believed to be the second largest family of flowering plants in the world with over 25,000 species of orchids and more than 100,000 hybrids. The number of orchid types equals more than twice the number of bird species, and about four times the number of mammal species.

In fact there are only two different types, which are terrestrial and epiphytes. Terrestrial orchids grow on the ground and the Epiphytes grow in trees. There are approximately two hundred to two hundred and fifty types native here in the United States, with about half of them native to the state of Florida.

Terrestrial types are among the most popular, and were some of the first species to be cultivated. This species grow on the ground and also grow on rocks and trees. Their native habitat ranges from Japan, Australia and southeast Asia.

These can be found in a wide range of sizes and shapes and their blossoms come in a wide spectrum of colors and are known for their amazing fragrance. Cymbidium orchid types are known for this type and there are approximately 40 species and thousands of hybrids. Cymbidium are a good choice for beginners to grow.

Epiphytes species refers to a plant which has a root system above ground, which allows them to absorb nutrients and water. Dendrobiums with over 1000 species are best known for this type of root system and are native to South East Asia, Polynesia, Australia, and Northern India. These areas are tropical and have warm, humid conditions which are ideal for Dendorbiums and grow very well when kept moist and warm. A large majority of orchid types grown around the world are epiphytes.

Many of these orchid types are grown on wood or cork, in pots and in baskets in loose or porous media.

Here are some of the more common orchid types found.

Anguloa (Tulip Orchid) - Dendrobium (Bamboo or Singapore ) - Vanda coerulea (Blue Orchid) - Catasetum pileatum (Mother of Pearl flower) - Cattleya (Queen of Orchids) - Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid) - Epidendrum (Poor Man's Orchid) - Sophrontis (MiniCatts) - Cymbidium (Boat Orchid) - Paphiopedilum (Lady Slipper) - Brassia (Spider Orchid) - Miltonia (Pansy Orchid) - Laelia anceps (The Bull) - Oncidium (Dancing Ladies) - Bulbophyllum (Black Orchid) - Phaius (Yellow Crane )

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Orchid Care for Beginners

Orchid Care

Choosing the right type of orchid for the conditions in which it will be living is a fundamental part of any programme on how to care for orchids. There are therefore a number of decisions that will have to be made prior to purchase. These include situation, temperature, light, space and what to look for when purchasing.

Situation

Some orchids can survive quite happily in both the limited light and the dry air which exists in the average room while others need a greenhouse atmosphere of additional light and warm air. If your aim is to merely enjoy orchids in the home environment, there are hybrids which are bred for their ability to survive in these conditions. By far the most popular choice is the Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis) which can easily thrive in a centrally heated environment. For cooler conditions, an orchid such as Cymbidium or Miltoniopsis (sold as Miltonia) is ideal.

Temperature

It is vital to ascertain the temperatures you will be able to provide in the situation you have chosen for your orchid. This is best done using a maximum/minimum thermometer during a cold winter spell. Orchids can be divided into three groups, cool (50 - 55 deg F), intermediate (55 - 60 deg F) and warm (over 60 deg F). These temperatures are merely guidelines and it may be that an orchid will be able to survive short periods outside these ranges. This is particularly true of the popular hybrids and species listed below which are all more tolerant of temperature variations:-

Brassavola, Encyclia, Paphiopedilum, Brassia, Epidendrum, Phalaenopsis, Cattleya, Miltoniopsis, Cambria and Oncidium

Light

Some orchids can survive quite happily with the light available on the average window ledge while others will require really bright surroundings and are therefore unsuitable for placing in a room situation. Check the list above and find an orchid which will suit your situation.

Space

If you are intending to grow your orchids on a windowsill for example, it will be necessary to ensure that the plant you choose will not grow too tall. Check the maximum height the plant will achieve when placing your order whether from a catalogue or a garden centre or nursery.

From all this you can see that orchid care is not straightforward but like all things in life you only get out what you put in!

What to Look For

Underground Roots - These should be pale coloured and not blackened. Buy plants with transparent pots to check the condition of the roots.

Surface - This should be weed free and have sufficient space for rhizomes to spread. Rhizomes are horizontal stems which in time can develop into new growth.

Aerial Roots - These should be firm and pale. Dead roots are not a good sign. Look for green tips.

Leaves - Don't be fooled by colour as this can vary between dark and yellowish green. The leaves should be free from blemishes and firm not floppy.

Flower Spike - There should be flowers present together with some buds which should not be shrivelled.

Insects - Ensure an absence of these on buds, leaves and the pot base.

What next?

The usual route into learning how to care for orchids is to purchase (or be given) a Phalaenopsis or perhaps a Paphiopedlum both of which, as we have previously noted, will be able to survive and possibly thrive in the average living room. Frequently, these plants are kept because their blooms are long lasting but after a while, when the blooms fade, the plant is thrown away. The next stage would be to try your hand with others from the list in the "Temperature" section of this article. Cymbidium will grow in an unheated room for instance. Finally, things become much more interesting if you can induce the plant which has finished flowering to flower again because you become an orchid grower rather than just a keeper and the fun really begins! Don't be too surprised if you get bitten by the orchid bug and find yourself growing a much larger selection in a greenhouse.

Orchids are fascinating and great fun to care for.

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